Modi, Lulu Chairman Discuss Food Supply Continuity to GCC

India continues to reinforce its position as a dependable supplier of essential food products to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, ensuring stability and continuity in food distribution during a period marked by global uncertainties.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was recently briefed by Yusuffali MA, chairman of LuLu Group International, on a series of proactive measures undertaken by the retail giant to sustain uninterrupted food supply chains from India to the Gulf region.

 The high-level meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s official residence in New Delhi and underscored the importance of coordinated efforts between government and private sector stakeholders in safeguarding food security.

The discussions focused on maintaining the steady availability of essential commodities across GCC nations, where a significant portion of the population—comprising both expatriates and local residents—relies heavily on Indian-origin food products. The meeting also highlighted the critical need to ensure price stability and prevent market disruptions amid evolving global challenges.

LuLu Group, a leading retail chain with over 280 hypermarkets across the GCC, has emerged as a key player in supporting regional food distribution networks. Its recent initiatives have been instrumental in mitigating supply chain disruptions and maintaining consumer confidence during uncertain times.

During the interaction, Yusuffali detailed the group’s extensive efforts to bolster food security across its operational markets in the Gulf. To date, LuLu has facilitated the import of approximately 15,000 tonnes of food products, both perishable and non-perishable, from India. These shipments have been enabled through a robust logistics framework that includes exclusive chartered flights, cargo vessels, and regular maritime services.

Notably, 34 dedicated chartered flights have already been deployed to transport essential goods, with plans underway to continue similar operations in the coming weeks. These efforts are supported by LuLu’s well-established sourcing and export infrastructure across multiple Indian states, where production units and logistics hubs are operating at enhanced capacity to meet rising international demand.

India’s role as a key trade partner for GCC countries remains vital, particularly in the food and agriculture sector. Indian products enjoy widespread acceptance across the Gulf, making the continuity of such supply chains essential not only for consumer needs but also for sustaining economic linkages between the regions.

The ongoing initiatives are also providing crucial support to India’s agricultural ecosystem. By ensuring consistent export channels, farmers, producers, and exporters are able to move their goods efficiently to overseas markets, thereby mitigating losses and sustaining livelihoods during challenging times.

Yusuffali further outlined plans to scale up operations, with additional chartered flights and cargo shipments being scheduled to meet ongoing demand across GCC markets. These measures are expected to further strengthen supply resilience in the weeks ahead.

Prime Minister Modi lauded the efforts of LuLu Group and emphasized the importance of such initiatives in maintaining food security and economic stability. He assured full support from the Government of India in facilitating seamless exports and addressing logistical challenges to ensure uninterrupted supply to GCC nations.

In addition, Yusuffali apprised the Indian prime minister of the comprehensive measures taken by GCC authorities to safeguard the well-being of all residents, including the large Indian diaspora. He acknowledged the proactive role played by Gulf governments in ensuring safety, security, and access to essential services during the current period.

The meeting reaffirmed the strong economic and strategic ties between India and the GCC, highlighting the importance of collaboration in navigating global challenges while ensuring the continued flow of essential goods.